Introduction
In India’s competitive academic landscape, the pressure to publish is real—especially for PhD scholars, faculty applying for promotions, and professionals targeting UGC-CARE or Scopus-indexed journals. With timelines tightening, some researchers wonder: can you pay to speed up the publication process? This question isn’t just about convenience; it’s about ethics, credibility, and academic survival. Let’s explore the realities, risks, and legitimate options surrounding fast-track publication in journals.
Understanding Journal Timelines
Peer-reviewed journal publication is a multi-stage process. After submission, papers undergo editorial checks, peer review, revision cycles, and sometimes formatting or language editing stages. Even efficient journals take weeks or months—especially if they follow double-blind review systems.
In India, public universities often expect journal publications before thesis submission, grant applications, or faculty interviews. The result? Many scholars start searching for faster alternatives when the regular process seems too slow.
The Rise of ‘Fast-Track’ Publishing Offers
Many journals—especially international or open-access ones—now offer “fast-track” options. This doesn’t mean they bypass peer review, but they may guarantee a quicker turnaround, sometimes in 2–4 weeks. These options usually come with a fee.
But here’s where things get complicated. Some of these journals are legitimate. Others exploit the anxiety of Indian scholars and operate in unethical ways—guaranteeing publication without genuine peer review or offering backdoor acceptance in exchange for money.
Paying for Speed vs. Paying for Acceptance
It’s important to distinguish between two very different practices:
- Paying for Faster Review (Legitimate in Some Cases):Some ethical journals allow authors to pay a fee for expedited handling of their manuscript. This doesn’t guarantee acceptance. It merely moves the paper up in the processing queue.
- Paying for Guaranteed Acceptance (Usually Unethical):If a journal promises acceptance for a fee without thorough peer review or editorial integrity, it’s likely predatory or fake. Many such journals exist on the internet, mimicking real journals and preying on desperate researchers.
What Do Indian Regulatory Bodies Say?
UGC, AICTE, and NAAC do not support journals that accept payment for publication without maintaining academic standards. In fact, publishing in such outlets can have negative consequences. If a journal is later blacklisted or delisted from UGC-CARE, your publication may not be counted for promotion, thesis clearance, or academic recognition.
Moreover, publications in such journals may also raise questions during viva voce, grant reviews, or peer evaluations. In Indian academia, credibility matters as much as quantity.
The Hidden Cost of Speed
While paying for a faster process might seem appealing, it’s worth noting:
- Quality Might Suffer: You may not receive the kind of detailed reviewer feedback that strengthens your paper.
- Credibility Risks: Fast publications are often questioned by evaluators. It might give the impression that the research wasn’t rigorous.
- Future Implications: Once your name is associated with a predatory journal, it may affect how future publications or applications are judged.
Indian scholars have reported cases where published work in ‘quick journals’ was later flagged or questioned, especially during research audits or grant evaluations.
Are There Legitimate Ways to Speed Things Up?
Yes—without paying for questionable services, you can:
- Target Journals with Transparent Review Timelines: Some journals publish their average review time (e.g., 4 weeks).
- Submit Well-Prepared Manuscripts: A well-structured paper with proper formatting, citations, and language editing can move faster through the editorial process.
- Respond Promptly to Revisions: Timely and professional response to reviewer comments can reduce back-and-forth delays.
- Pre-submission Inquiry: Some journals allow authors to check in advance whether a topic fits—saving time.
Also, consider regional or Indian journals in your domain that are UGC-CARE approved and have a reputation for efficiency. These might not have international impact factors but often process submissions faster and are perfectly acceptable for Indian academic requirements.
Conclusion
You can pay to speed up the journal publication process—but only in specific, transparent contexts. What you shouldn’t do is pay for guaranteed acceptance or fall into the trap of fake journals that promise everything in a week. For Indian PhD students and researchers, publishing is not just a formality—it’s a statement of academic integrity.
Shortcuts may work once, but credibility stays with you throughout your career. Instead of focusing on speed alone, balance urgency with academic standards. A well-reviewed, ethically published paper—even if it takes a little longer—is always worth the wait.